It is important that you meet with your plastic/reconstructive surgeon before your surgery so you can understand and consider all of your options. This will help you and your team plan the best treatment for your individual circumstances. For example, there are several types of reconstructive surgery; some are immediate and some are delayed.
Immediate breast reconstruction is started or completed at the time of the procedure when the breast tissue is removed (mastectomy). This provides a number of benefits to the patient, including the preservation of breast skin, which may yield a better cosmetic result.
Delayed breast reconstruction is started later and this may provide advantages to patients who need radiation. You will want to discuss these options with both your breast surgeon and plastic/reconstructive surgeon.
Several operations can be performed to reconstruct the breast following a mastectomy, including free flap, pedicle flap and implant procedures.
During the free and pedicle flap procedures, tissue from the abdomen, back, thighs or buttocks is used to rebuild the shape of the breast. The advantage of these two options is the shape, texture, and appearance of the reconstructed breast is more natural. An additional advantage is the breast will undergo the same biological changes that are natural to the woman’s body as she ages.
A more extensive description of your options can be found at www.breastreconusa.org
Oxygen is a key parameter in many clinical areas, such as tissue viability, revascularization, cancer management and muscle health assessment. Tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) is the average blood oxygen saturation in a given sample of tissue. Thus, StO2 is an important measure of tissue health.
Tissue oximetry technology is used by clinicians to gain an accurate, real-time reading of StO2 in a much more targeted way.
ViOptix Inc. pioneered the use of tissue oximetry when the company introduced their T.Ox system in 2005. This technology revolutionizes the field by giving physicians and nurses a product which measuresSTO2— anytime/anywhere —
ViOptix technology has been clinically proven by many institutions in the United States, which use this technology as the standard of care. In addition, the company has recently introduced the Intra.Ox™ product which measures tissue oxygenation in real time..
